Circuit interrupter



Alug. 7, 1945. E. H. HALL 2,381,353

CIRCUIT INTERRUPTER BY M y @M/ATTORN Aug. 7, 1945. E. H. HALL CIRCUIT INTERRUPTER 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Jan.

Aug. 7, 1945. E. H. HALL 2,381,353

CIRCUIT INTERRUPTER Filed Jan. 28, 1943 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 "i 4@ 43 Eff/Eff f/q/z.

d BY Alf/ ATTORNE Patented-Aug. 7, 1945 UNITEETD STATE-ff' iiftENT F* CE CIRCUIT INTERRUPTER mlilri'wilt Hall, ;Wilkinsburg,f-Pa., assigner to. Westinghouse Electric Cor Pa., a corporation of poration, East Pittsbnrgh,

Pennsylvania iip'plic'ation January 28, 1943,SerialNo. 473,823

(creto-148') 18 Claims.

This invention relates to circuit interruptersin general, and, moreparticularly, yto gasblast type circuit interrupters. y

More specically it is anvob'jecto'f myn'inven'- tion to `'p'rvide an improved operating mechanism for actuating the gas blast lvalve of a gas blastty'pefof circuit interrupter. y 'L Another object lis-to provideian improved mechanism which opens the blast Vvalve only kduring a portion of the opening operation, and 'which maintains the blastvalve closed during a closing operation to conserve the `supplyof gas.

Another object is Ito provide anim roved valve 'mechanism vvhich also functions to open the valve immediately upon a reversalgof contactinotion during a closing hoperationJu Y Such` Aa reversal of Contact lmotion will occur when the interrupter is vattem'n'ted Ito be l.closed during the existence of overload conditions in the electrical circuit controlled by the int'errupter. arc carrying .the overload current, will Vthenjiimp l'between the contacts even before they touch each othe'nfand this arc will trip the breaker-mechanism to cause the reversal o'f- Contact motion during such a closing operation. ,v

Another object is to, provide an improvetl valve mechanism vvhich utilizes ratfch'etjmeans to relate the Contact motion to 'thevalvemotion. A further object is to provide an improved 'valve actuating mechanism -which employs Alinkage means te interrelat'e contact motion Iwith valve motion. i ,Y y y,

Another object is to provide an i'rnp'roved valve rnecl'ianisrnl in Which la' ratchet coupling rotates in accordance with theH Contact movement. I prov-ide a '.coop'erable ratchet linke'd .to the valve to positively Openthe valve during the initial poi-'- tion of the opening operation of the interrupter. Preferably latching 'means are provided tomainf tain 'the valve einen after the @tepels-atie rate-net is disengaged from ,the ratchet coupling. Near the end of the opening operation 1 trip trie nte'hing means to close the valve; y u

In 'a patent application by R. CI`Cunninghain and B, P. Baker, serial nelevss, fiileii 'september 21, 1940,- nxv PatentvN'o. Q2329215824, issued September 1, 194:2, and in a patent Aaynplication by E. H. Hail and R. H. Leitzel, serial No. 416,36), med ,October 24, 194i, new Patentivo. 2,310,779, issued February 9, 1943, both of said applications being assigned to the assignee of this applic'ation, there are shown `and described'gasblast valve operating mechanisms Whichwiunc'tion .to open the blast valvediiring the loijieiiing operation of the interruptr and vvhic'h keep the blast valve closed during the closing'operationfofrthe interrupter -to conserve the'supplyof compressed gas. ln the' mechanisms` `described 'in both the 'foregoing applications, means are provided to open the blast valve during a closingV operation of the interrupter when arevelrsal 'ofc'ontact mechanism takes place because offanattempt to close the interrupterduring the vexistence offoverload conditions in the circuit 'controlled by the interrupter.

'Further objects and advantages Willreadily become apparent upon areading of ythe following specication taken invcon'junction with the drawings, in which: v l t Figurel a side 'elevational view. partly in sectiom of a 'gas blast type circuit interrupter embodying my invention and 'being shown in -`the closed circuit position.; u y

Fig 2 is an enlarged Vside 'elevational vieyv of the blast valve operating mechanism shown in Fig. 1;

Fig. s is *aii 'enlarged 'side elevational l'View of the blast valve operating mechanism butshowing the position of the parts near the end of the opening operation; l y y Fig. 4 is anenlarged elevational vievv,y partly in ctin, taken substantially on the line'IV'-IV 0fFg,2 Fig. 5 is anenlarged fragmentary elevational `f vview similar to the View shown in Fig. 4, but

showing thedisposition of the parts When the `ratchet collar has disengaged from the ratchet coupling;

Fig. 6 is a yfragmentary side elevational View, partly in section, taken substantially 'on the line VI-A-VI of 4; and` Fig. 7 is a fragmentary .view taken substantially 0n the line VIf-VIIcf Fie. .6.

Referring to the drawings', and in particular to Fig. 1, the reference numeral l designates'v-va 'Storage tankfor storing gas, suchas air, under pressure. Extending from the upper end 'of the storage tank I isa relatively short flanged conduitrZMwhich, in turn, carries' a valve casing 3. Secured to the upper end of tlfiev'alve casing 3 is a .tubular insulator 4 which has secured t'o its upperend an insulating support 5. The insulating )support 5 may be Vgiven additional support by anrinsulating member 6. The support 5 carries a stationary contact assembly 'l which, in this instance, yis enclosed Within an arc extinguisfl'in ing structure 8, only a portion oi which is shown. The arc extinguishing structure 8 may be Ao-frconventional form 'and does not concern the present invention.

Coacting with the stationary contact assembly 1 is a movable Contact 9 which is preferably of blade-like construction and generally C-shaped, and mounted for swinging movement about a pivot I carried by a conducting bracket I I. External circuit connections to the interrupter are made through a pair of terminal members i2 and I3, the rst of which is secured to the stationary contact assembly 1 and the second one of which is connected to the conducting bracket I I. Thus, when the interrupter is inthe closed circuit position as shown in Fig. 1, an electrical circuit is established between the terminals I2 and I3 through the stationary contact assembly 1, the movable contact 9 and the conducting bracket I I.

The movable contact 9 is actuated to open and closed circuit positions by an insulating operating rod I4 actuated by a crank plate member I5, in this instance an integral part of the shaft I5.

The shaft I6 is journaled in suitable brackets I1. 2y

The shaft I6 is actuated by a crank portion I8 of the plate member I which is coupled by suitable linkage IS to a connecting rod of an air actuated piston operated within the cylinder 2|. The connecting rod 20 may be moved up and down to effect respective closing and opening movements of the movable contact 9 by the admission of compressed gas from the storage tank I to the operating cylinder 2| by suitable valves well known in the art.

The tubular insulator 4, in addition to serving as a support, also provided a passage for conducting an arc extinguishing blast of gas from the storage tank I to the space between the contacts 1 and 9. This gas blast passage proceeds through the short conduit 2 through the valve casing 3, through the tubular insulator 4 and opening 22 provided through the insulating support 5 which is preferably coextensive with the passage within the tubular insulator 4.

In the event the movable contact 9 is moved to the open circuit position while the circuit interrupter is carrying loadl an arc will be drawn across the upper end of the passage 22 and will be subjected to a blast of arc extinguishing gas caused to flow through the .tubular insulator 4, whereby the arc will be extinguished. Control of the blast of gas to the arc in this instance may be obtained by a valve 23 disposed in the lower end of the valve casing 3. The valve 23 has a stem 24 operatively coupled to one end of an actuating member 25. In this instance the actuating member 25 is rigidly secured to a rock shaft 2B journaled in the side of the valve casing 3. The shaft 26 extends exteriorly of the valve casing 3, and has a pair of rocker arms 21 secured to the opposite ends thereof.

Referring more particularly to Fig. 3 it will be observed that the rocker arms 21 have secured thereto a pin 28 upon which is pivotally mounted a spring guide rod 29, the upper end of which is slidably guided in a xed guide bracket 29a, in this instance an integral portion of the va-lve casing 3. A compression spring 3|] is disposed between the fixed guide bracket 29a and the lower portion of the spring guide rod 29 to bias the rocker arms 21 in a counterclockwise direction about the rock shaft 26 to bias the valve 23 to its closed position. Referring more particularly to Fig. 4, it will be noted that a pin 3| is rigidly supported at the lefthand end of the rocker arms 21 as viewed in Fig. 3, the purpose for which will appear more clearly hereinafter.

Referring to Fig. 4 it will be observed that a ratchet collar 32 is slidably mounted on the shaft IB having teeth 33. A bifurcated bracket 34, in this instance an integral portion of the ratchet collar 32 supports a knee pin 35 as more clearly shown in Fig. 4. Cotter pins 35a hold the knee pin 35 in the biiurcated bracket 34. An adjustable link member 36 is pivotally supported on the knee pin 35. At the upper end of the link member 36, as viewed in Fig- 4 there is provided an elongated slot 31. The pin 3| passes through the elongated slot 31, and in the closed circuit position of the interrupter as shown by the full lines in Fig. 2, the pin 3| is disposed at the lower end 3B of the elongated Slot 31.

A helically wound retrieving spring 39 is supported on the shaft I6 as more clearly shown in Fig. 4. The lefthand end oi the retrieving spring 39, as viewed in Fig. 4, is rigidly secured to the ratchet collar 32. The righthand end of the retrieving spring 39 is rigidly Secured to the bracket I1. It will, therefore, be apparent that the retrieving spring 39 biases the ratchet collar 32 in a clockwise direction about the shaft I6 as Viewed in Fig. 2.

A cam slot 4I is provided at the lower end ol the ratchet collar 32 as viewed in Fig. 4. The cam slot 4I has a configuration more clearly shown in Fig. '7. Referring to Fig. 7 it will be noted that the cam slot 4| has a cam portion 42. The righthand bracket I1 as viewed in Fig. 4 supports a bracket 43 in which is rigidly secured a follower pin 44. The follower pin 44 is inserted into the cam-slot 4I as more clearly shown in Fig. 4. Disposed adjacent to the cam slot 4I is a straight slot 45 more clearly shown in Fig. '7. The support bracket 43 also pivotally supports a latch 46 on a pivot pin 46a, a helical spring 41 encircling the pivot pin 46a serving to bias the latch 46 in a counterclockwise direction about the pivot pin 46a as viewed in Fig. 6.

Cooperating with the ratchet collar 32 is a rotatable ratchet coupling, in this instance an integral portion of the shaft I6. The ratchet coupling 48 has teeth 43 which cooperate with the teeth 33 of the ratchet collar 32 as clearly shown in Figs. 4 and 5. Rigidly secured to the crank plate member I5 is a latch disengaging pin 5I) as shown more clearly in Figs. 6 and 7, the purpose for which will appear more clearly hereinafter. Also rigidly secured to the crank plate member I5 is a valve latch disengaging pin 5| more clearly shown in Fig. 6, the purpose for which will also appear more clearly hereinafter.

Rigidly secured to the lefthand bracket I1 as Viewed in Fig. 4 is an oistanding bracket 52 having a bifurcated portion which supports a pivot pin 53. The pivot pin 53 pivotally supports a valve latch 54 having a coniiguration more clearly shown in Figs. 2 and 3. It will be observed that the valve latch 54 has a latch portion 55 and a tripping portion 56 (see Fig. 3). Referring to Fig. 3 it will be observed that a spring 'guide rod 51 is pivotally supported to the valve latch 54 by a pivot pin 58. The righthand end of the spring guide rod 51 as viewed in Fig. 3, is slidably guided by a fixed guide `bracket 59 in this, instance an integral portion of the valve casing 3. A compression spring 60 encircles the spring guide rod 51 to bias the valve latch 54 in a counterclockwise direction about the pivot pin 53 as viewed in Fig. 3.

The operation of the blast valve mechanism will now be explained. In the closed circuit position of the interrupter as shown by the full lines in Fig. 2, it will be observed that the pin 3| is disposed at the lower end 38 of the elongated slot while sliding in the cam slot 4I.

31, the compression spring 33 maintaining the valve 23 in the closed position. It is, therefore, readily apparent that the contacts are closed and the valve 23 is also closed. Fig. 4 shows an elevational view taken along the line IV-IV of Fig. 2 with the parts shown in the closed circuit position, and Fig. 7 shows the disposition of the follower pin 44 in the cam slot 4I at this time, the latch 46 being out of the straight slot 45 (see Fig. 7) and the retrieving spring 39 forcing the teeth 33 of the ratchet collar 32 against the teeth 49 of the ratchet coupling 48.

When it is desired to open the electrical circuit passing through the interrupter, or as a result of the tripping of the breaker mechanism, suitable mechanism not shown operates to move the connecting rod 20 downward (See Fig. l). This downward movement of the connecting rod 20 rotates the crank plate member I5 and hence the shaft I6 in a counterclockwise direction as viewed in Fig. 1. The rotation of the shaft I6 also rotates the ratchet coupling 48. The rotation of the ratchet coupling 48 causes the ratchet collar 32 to also rotate, the follower pin 44 mean- It will be ob-v served that counterclockwise rotation of the ratchet collar 32 as viewed in Fig., 2 will serve to also rotate the knee pin 35 in a counterclockwise direction about the shaft I6 to straighten the adjustable link member 36 as shown by the dotted lines in Fig. 2. Consequently, it will be apparent that the bifurcated bracket 34, the knee pin 35 and the adjustable link member 36 constitute a Valve actuating toggle generally designated by the reference numeral 6I. Fig. 2 show the disposition of the parts during the initial portion of the opening operation when the valve actuating toggle 6I is straightened by the initial rotation of the ratchet collar 32 with the ratchet coupling 48. It will be observed, however, that the straightening of the valve actuating toggle 6I will cause the pin 3| to move upward and hence to cause the valve 23 to open against the biasing action exerted by the compression spring 30.

The dotted lines in Fig. 2 show the disposition of the parts of the mechanism at a time when the contacts 'I, 9 first began to part and at a time when the valve 23 is fully open to admit an arc extinguishing .blast of gas upward through the tubular insulator 4 to extinguish the arc drawn between the contacts I and 9. However, when the valve actuating toggle 6I is straightened as shown by the dotted lines in Fig. 2, the valve latch 54 biased by the compression spring 60 in a counterclockwise direction about the pivot pin 53, latches under the pin 3 I. During this portion f the opening operation the latch 46 is out of the straight slot 45y and the follower pin 44 is moving in the straight portion of the cam slot 4 I not yet having contacted the cam portion 42.

Further counterclockwise rotation of the crank plate member I5 about the shaft I6 causes the valve actuating toggle 6I to break, the valve latch 54 meanwhile holding the pin 3| in its raised position in the latch portion 55 of the valve latch 54. Consequently, it is readily apparent that the valve latch 54 serves to maintain the valve 23 open at a time when the valve actuating toggle 6I is broken by the continued counterclockwise rotation of the ratchet collar 32. However, when the valve actuating toggle 6I breaks, the follower pin 44 rides up on the cam portion 42 of the cam' slot 4I to force the ratchet collar 32 to the rightl as viewed in Fig. 4 and hence to cause The dotted lines in the disengagement of the teeth 33 of ratchet collar 32 from the teeth 49 of the ratchet coupling 48 as shown more clearly in Fig, 5. When the teeth 33 and 49 disengage, the latch 46 snaps into the straight slot 45 and serves to maintain the teeth 33, 49 out of engagement while the retrieving spring 39 rotates the ratchet collar 32 in a clockwise direction about the shaft I6 as viewed in Figs. 2 and 3 to return the ratchet collar 32 to its initial position. When the ratchet collar 32 has returned to its initial position the latch 46 remains in the straight slot 45 to maintain the teeth 33 of the ratchet collar 32 out of engagement with the teeth 49 of the ratchet coupling 48 which meanwhile are continuing to rotate in a counterclockwise direction about the shaft I6.

It will, therefore, be apparent that if the latch 46 were not provided the teeth 33 of the ratchet collar 32 would tend, due to, the compressive spring action exerted by the retrieving spring 39, to engage with the teeth 49 of the ratchet coupling 48 to be again rotated with the ratchet coupling 48.

As was stated previously, the valve latch 54 maintains the pin 3I in its raised position on the latch portion 55 to cause the valve 23 to remain open after the valve actuating toggle 6I has broken and the ratchet collar 32 has returned to its initial position. Meanwhile, the gas blast passing through the tubular insulator 4 has served to extinguish the arc drawn between the contacts 1 and 9. It is, therefore, desirable to close the valve 23, and the valve latch disengaging pin 5I serves this purpose. It will be observed that the full lines in Fig. 3 show the position of the parts just after the valve latch disengaging pin 5I has struck the tripping portion 56 of the valve latch 54 to cause a slight clockwise rotation of the valve latch 54 about the pivot pin 53. This slight clockwise rotation of the valve latch 54 about the pivot pin 53 caused by the valve latch disengaging pin 5I striking the tripping portion 56 of the valve latch 54 is sumcient to permit the pin 3I to drop off the latch portion 55 down to the bottom 38 of the slot 3'1 in the adjustable link member 36, which at this time has been returned to its lower position by the previous return of the ratchet collar 32. The disposition of the parts after the valve latch disengaging pin 5I has tripped the valve latch 54 to cause closing of the valve 23 is shown by the full lines in Fig. 3.

Further movement of the movable contact 9 to cause increased Contact separation is desirable to prevent voltage surges on the line from breaking down the contact separation to result in restriking of the extinguished arc. This increased contact separation is caused by the continued rotation of the crank plate member I5 as show;-` by the dotted lines in Fig. 3. The dotted lines in Fig. 3 show the disposition of the parts when the contacts are in their fully open position. However, the latch disengaging pin 50 serves at the extreme end of the opening operation to strike the tail 62 of the latch 46 to cause the latch 46 to be forced out of the straight slot 45 and hence to permit the compressive force eX- erted by the retrieving spring 39 to force the teeth 33, 49 into engagement. Consequently, in the full open circuit position of the interrupter, as shown by the dotted lines in Fig. 3, the contacts I, 9 are widely separated, the valve 23 is closed and the teeth 33, 49 are in engagement, the latch 46 having been forced out of the straight slot 45 by the latch disengaging pin 50.

During theclosing operation of the interruptor the crank plate member I5. rotates in a clockwise direction about the shaft i6 and during this closingmovement the teeth 4'9 of the ratchet couplirig` 48 merely ratchet on the teeth 33 of the ratchet` collar 32. This ratcheting action between` the teeth 49, 33 will continue until the crank plate member I has rotated. in a clockwise direction4 about the shaft I6 to the fully closed position of the interrupter shown by the full linesof. Fig. 2. A subsequent opening operation will cause the valve mechanismto operate in a manner previously described and, therefore, a further description is not deemed necessary.

Occasionally, it may occur that overload conditions exist in the electric circuit controlled by the interrupter when. the interrupter is in the open circuit position. In this event when it is attempted tolclose the interrupter during the existence of` overload conditions in,` the electrical circuit controlled by the interrupter an are will llump across the contacts 1, 9 because of the high voltage even before the movable contact 9 engages the stationary contact 1. The arc which jumps between the contactsl 1, 9 before Athey have engaged will carry an overload current which` will trip the breaker mechanism and will cause an immediate opening operation of the interrupter oven before the interrupter has been completely closed. Consequently, the net result is a reversal of contact movement during a closing operation before the contacts 1, 9 have engaged.

It will be observed that in the blast valve mechanism which I have provided should a. rel versal of` contact movement take place during a closing` operation due to the aforesaid state of conditions, the reversal of movement of the ratchet coupling 48 will immediately serve to carry with it the ratchet collar 32 and hence to open the blast` valve 2i!V in the same manner as would have occurred during a normal opening operation. I use the term normalopening operation to` indicate an opening operation from the completely closed position of the interrupter.

It` will, thereforabe apparent that the mechanismL which I have provided serves to. immediately open the blast valve 23 due to a reversal oi` contact movement during a closing operation at any intermediate position4 during the closing operation. The opening of the blast, Valve 23 will, of course, serve todeliver an arc extinguishing blast of gas upward through the tubular insulator 4 between the contacts 1, 9 to extinguish the are thus drawn when it was attempted to close the interrupter during the existence of overload conditions in the electrical circuit.

From the above description it is apparent that I have provided a novel blast valve mechanism for use in circuit interrupters which functions to open the blast valve during a predetermined portion of the opening operation, and which also functions to maintain the valve closed during the closing operation to conserve the supply of compressed gas. It will be apparent that the position of the valve latch disengaging pin 5I determines when the valve latch 54 will be tripped open to close the blast valve 23. It will also be observed that whenthe contacts 1, 9 begin to separate the blast valve 23 is at this time fully open. Consequently, when the arc between the contacts 1, 9 is first drawn, it is subjected to an arc extinguishing blast of gas which at this time has its highest velocity due to the fact that the blast valve 23 at this time is fully open.

It willy also be apparent that I have provided a blast valve operating mechanism which func" tions to immediately open the blast valve upon a reversal oi contact motion atany'intermediate position during a closing, operation as a result of closing the interrupter during thek existence of overload conditions in the electrical circuit controlled. by the interrupter.

Although I have shown and described a specific embodiment of" my invention, it 1s to be clearly understood that the same was merely for purposes of` illustration and that changes and modications may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

I claim as my invention:

1. In a circuit interrupter of the gas blast type, separable contacts for establishing an arc, operating means for actuating the contacts to open and to closed. circuit' positions, a valve arranged to be supplied with gas under pressure, an` actuating member for operating saidl valve to establish an arc extinguishing blast of gas, said contact operating means including a member movable in accordance with the opening and closing movements ofthe contacts, ratchet means interengaging said member with said actuating member to open the valve during an opening operation of the interruptor, and means rendering the ratchet means inoperable before the end of the opening operation of the interrupter.

2; In a circuit interrupter of the gas blast type, separable contacts for establishing an arc, operating means for actuating theA contacts to open and to closed circuit positions, a valve arranged to be supplied with gas under pressure, an actuating member for operating said valve to establish an arc extinguishing blast of gas, said contact operating means including a member movable in accordance with the opening and closing movements of` the contacts, ratchet means interengaging said' member with said'actuating member to open the valve duringv an opening operation of the interrupter, means rendering the ratchet means inoperable before the end of the opening operation of the interrupter, and valve latching means operable to hold the valve open after the ratchet means has been rendered inoperative.

3; In a circuit interrupter of the gas blast type, separable contacts for establishing an arc, operating meansv for actuating the contacts to open and'to closed circuit' positions, a valve arranged to be supplied with gesunder pressure, an actuating member for operating said-valve to establish an are extinguishing blast of gas, said contactl operating means including a member movable in accordance with the opening andA closing movements of the contacts, ratchet means interengaging said member with said actuating member to open the valve during an opening operation of the interrupter, means'rendering the ratchet means inoperable before theend of the opening operation of the interrupter; valve latching` means operable to hold the valve open after the ratchet means has been rendered inoperative, and means movable with the operating means for tripping the valve latching means to close the valve before theV operatingmeans cornes to rest at the end of an opening operation.

4; In a circuit interrupter of the gas blast type, separable contacts for establishing an arc, operating means for actuating' thel contacts to open and to closed; circuit positions, a valve arranged to be supplied with gas under pressure, an, actuating member for operating said valve to estab lish an arc extinguishing blast of gas, said contact operating means including a iirst member movable in accordance with the opening and closing movements of the contacts, linkage means communicating motion from the first member to the actuating member to open the valve during an opening operation, and means rendering the linkage means inoperative before the end of the opening operation to prevent the communication of motion from the iirst member to the actuating member.

5. In a circuit interruptor of the gas blast type, separable contacts for establishing an arc, operating means for actuating the contacts to open and to closed circuit positions, a valve arranged to be supplied with gas under pressure, an actuating member for operating said valve to establish an arc extinguishing blast of gas, said contact operating means in-cluding a rst member movable in accordance with the opening and closing movements of the contacts, linkage means communicating motion from the rst member to the actuating member to open the valve during an opening operation, means rendering the linkage means inoperative before the end of the opening operation to prevent the communication of motion from the rst member to the actuating member, and valve latching means to maintain the valve open after the linkage means has been rendered inoperative.

6. In a circuit interruptor oi lthe gas blast type, separable contacts for establishing an arc, operating means for actuating the contacts to open and to closed circuit positions, a valve arranged to be supplied with gas under pressure, an actuating member for operating said valve to establsh an arc extinguishing blast of gas, said -contact operating means including a iirst member movable in accordance With the opening and closing movements of the contacts, linkage means communicating motion from the first member to the actuating member to open the valve during an opening operation, means rendering the linkage means inoperative before the end of the opening operation to prevent the communication of motion from the rst member to the actuating member, valve latching means to maintain the valve open after the linkage means has been rendered inoperative, and means tripping lthe latching means to close the valve before the end of the l opening operation.

7. Ina circuit interrupter of the gas blast type, separable contacts cooperable to establish an arc, a valve controlling a supply of gas under pressure, the valve Ibeing operable to deliver an arc extinguishing blast of gas, means rotatable in accordance with contact motion, a ratchet coupling rst-menticned means, latching means operable v to maintain the valve open after the disengageiment of the inst-mentioned means, and means fixed to and rotatable with the means, and a ratchet collar slidably mounted on the means and arranged to operate #the valve.

3. In a circuit interrupter of the gas blast type, separable contacts cooperable to establish an arc, a valve controlling a supply of gas under pressure, the valve being operable to deliver an arc extinguishing blast of gas, disengageable means relating the opening contact motion with the valve to cause opening of the valve during at least a portion of the opening operation of the interrupter, means operable to cause the disengagement of the rst-mentioned means, and latching means operable to maintain the valve open after the disengagement of the mst-mentioned means..

9. In a circuit interruptor of the gas blast type, separable contacts cooperable to establish an arc, a valve controlling a supply of gas under pressure,

movable in accordance with the contact motion for tripping the latching means to close the valve before the end of the opening operation of the interruptor.

10. In a circuit interruptor of the gas blast type,

-' separable contacts cooperable to establish an arc,

a valve controlling a supply of gas under pressure, the valve being operable to deliver an arc extinguishing blast of gas, disengageable ratchet means rela-ting the opening contact motion with the valve to cause opening of the valve during at least a portion of the opening operation of the interrupter, means operable to cause the disengagement of the first-mentioned means, and latching means operable to maintain the valve open after the disengagement of the rst-mentioned means.

1l. In a circuit interruptor of the gas blast type, separable contacts cooperable to establish an arc, a valve controlling a supply of gas under pressure, the valve being operable to deliver an arc extinguishing blast of gas,` a shaft rotatable in accordance with contact motion, a ratchet coupling iixed to and rotatable with the shaft, a ratchet collar slidably mounted on the shaft, means for causing the opening of the valve in re sponse to rotation or" the ratchet collar, and means for disengaging the ratchet collar from the ratchet coupling at a predetermined time in the opening operation of the interrupter.

l2. In a circuit in'terrupter of the gas blast type, separable contacts cooperable to establish an arc, a Valve controlling .a supply of gas under pressure, the valve being operable to deliver an arc extinguishing blast of gas, a shaft rotatable in accordance with Contact motion, a ratchet coupling fixed to and rotatable with the shaft, a ratchet collar slidably mounted 0n the shaft, means for causing the opening of the valve in response to rotation of the ratchet collar, means for disengaging the ratchet collar from the ratchet coupling at a predetermined time in the opening operation of the interrupter, and latching means for maintaining the valve open after the disengagement of the ratchet collar from the ratchet coupling.

13. In a circuit interrupter of the gas blast type, separable contacts cooperable to establish an arc, a valve controlling a supply of gas under pres sure, the valve being 4operable to deliver an arc extinguishing blast of gas, a shaft rotatable in accordance With contact motion, a ratchet coupling fixed to and rotatable with the shaft, a ratchet collar slidably mounted on the shaft, means for causing the opening of the Valve in response a valve controlling a supply of gas under pressure, the valve being operable to deliver an arc extinguishing blast of gas, a shaft movable in` collar slidably` mounted on the shaft, the valve being openedin response to rotation of the ratchet collar, means biasing the ratchet collar into engagement with the ratchet coupling, and cam means .for causing the disengagement of the ratchet collar from the ratchet coupling at a predetermined time in the opening operation of the interrupter.

15. In a circuit interrupter of the gas blast type, separable contacts for establishing an arc, a valve controlling a supply of lgas under pressure, the valve being operable to deliver an arc extinguishing blast of gas, a shaft movable in response to contact motion a ratchet coupling fixed to and rotatable with the shaft, a ratchet collar slidably mounted on the shaft, the'valve being opened in response to rotation of the ratchet collar, means biasing the ratchet collar into engagement with the ratchet coupling, cam means for causing the disengagement of the ratchet collar from the ratchet coupling at a predetermined time in the opening operation of the interrupter, and means for maintaining the ratchet collar out of engagement with the ratchet coupling until substantially the end of the opening operation of the interrupter.

16. In a circuit interrupter of the gas blast type, separable contacts for establishing an arc, a valve controlling a supply of gas under pressure, the valve being operable to deliver an arc extinguishing blast of gas, rotatable means rotatable in accordance with the contact motion, a rst ratchet means rotatable with said means, a second cooperable ratchet means engageable with the rst ratchetmeans` during a portion oi the opening operation: of the. interrupter, and means operable in response to` rotation of the second ratchet meansto. open.v the valve.

17. In: a` circuit interrupter of the. gas blast type," separable contacts for establishing an arc, aV valve controlling a supply of gas under pressure,- theva1ve beingoperable to deliver an arc extinguishing blast of gas, rotatable means rotatablefin accordance with thecontact motion, a irst ratchet means rotatable with said means, ay secondi cooperable ratchet means engageable with the-first ratchet means during a portion of the openingoperationof the interruptei; means operableinresponse torotationof the second .ratchet means tofopen the valve, and means for disengagingY the second ratchet means from the first ratchet means at apredetermined time in the opening operation.

18. In a circuit interrupter of the gas blast type, separable contacts for establishing an arc, a` valve controlling a supply of` gas under pressure, thevalve being operable to deliver. an ar(J extinguishing blast of gas,`rotatable means rotatable in accordance with the contact motion, a first ratchetmeans rotatable with said means, a secondI cooperableratchet means engageable with the iirst` ratchet means during a portion 'if the opening operation of the interruptery means operable in response torotation of the second ratchetmeansto open the valve, meanszfor disengaging the second ratchet means from the first ratchet means at a predetermined time in the opening operation, andvalve latching means to maintain theA valve open after the second ratchet means has become disengaged from the rst ratchet means.

ERIK H. HALL. 

